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September 05, 2013

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day

On Tuesday, September 10, the World Health Organization and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) will co-sponsor World Suicide Prevention Day. Not only is suicide a major public health problem around the world, you may be surprised to know it is the leading cause of death for young people. Worldwide, nearly one million people succumb to suicide each year, a number that exceeds deaths from war and homicide combined. Somewhere in the world, someone dies of suicide every 40 seconds.{{shudders}}

According to the CDC, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14.

This is the 11th anniversary of World Suicide Prevention Day. This year’s theme is “Stigma: A Major Barrier for Suicide Prevention.” Untreated mental illness and substance abuse are at the root of many suicide deaths. Reluctance to seek help for these conditions is often due to stigma. Stigmas associated with mental illness and suicidal behavior can be caused by ignorance, prejudice, discrimination and other negative attitudes.

Education is one of the most important tools available to eradicate the stigma of mental illness and reduce the global suicide level. One of the goals of World Suicide Prevention Day is to inspire people to get involved to help raise awareness of this critical issue. By working together to help eliminate the stigma, we can help people to feel more empowered to seek support when they need it.

This is incredibly important. There is help out there. There are places to turn. You need to know that. Too many people are making this their end. Too many young people are making this their solution.

In addition to clicking the link above for WSPD, you should also be aware of the amazing work these organizations are doing:

I'm a big supporter of these organizations and especially the latter two that specifically work with LGBT youth toward suicide prevention. Being different is unique and special, not a detriment. There's a veritable epidemic of suicide among LGBT youth and it. is. unacceptable. Bullying is unacceptable. Feeling like a lesser human being for a reason you cannot help is unacceptable. Suicide is unacceptable. It is not the answer.